Unfazed by Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's attack on him, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today maintained that India is for Indians and hailed the sacrifice of NSG commandoes including those from Maharashtra in 26/11 attacks.
"In Mumbai (during the terror attacks), men in the NSG were from Bihar, UP, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. At that time they (Sena) did not say that those from Bihar and UP should be taken out. India has to move forward and all have to be taken forward," he said addressing a press conference here.
Asked about the statement of Thackeray in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' that he had insulted 26/11 martyrs by only recognising the sacrifice of soldiers from UP and Bihar, Mr Gandhi said, "India belongs to Indians. Every part of India belongs to every Indian. I am not interested in the views of Bal Thackeray or (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray.
"People have a right to go anywhere. I am not going to remain silent and stop people of UP and Bihar from going to Maharashtra," the 39-year-old Congress General Secretary said.
IANS adds" Slamming the Bihar government for its alleged failure to implement central government-sponsored development schemes, Mr Gandhi said benefits of welfare plans were not reaching end-users in the state.
"The Bihar government has failed in implementing these schemes. It is not a question of intention. I am talking of implementation. The benefits are not reaching the end- users, everybody knows it. (Bihar chief minister) Nitish Kumar knows it."
Mr Gandhi said that money was not the issue, but that the delivery system needed to be reviewed. He also said schools and hospitals in Bihar were not functioning properly.
